This archive report was first published on 11 October 2019.
October 11, 2019, marked a significant milestone for Kelvin Kindiki, a 20-year-old rapper known by his stage name SiMBA. With 10 songs and four music videos to his name, SiMBA is determined to stir a new wave in the Kenyan music industry.
SiMBA's journey in music began when he was young, influenced by his two elder sisters who loved music and would cut out lyrics from magazines and stick them in a book. They would then memorise the lyrics and practice singing together.
When SiMBA joined Alliance High School, he vowed to pursue music. His English teacher, Muchiri Mukunga, was his role model, and he admired his proficiency in English and mastery of poems. SiMBA credits his teacher with guiding him in writing his own poems, helping him create rhymes, and eventually aiding him in writing his first song.
Through a family friend who had a music studio in his bedroom, SiMBA began his musical journey by interacting and learning from other budding musicians who came there to record their songs. By the time he was in Form Three, he had already recorded his first song, although he now cringes whenever he listens to it.
SiMBA's music is 'conscious', meaning it educates, entertains, and is not explicit either in the lyrics or in the visuals. His YouTube channel offers his fans a worthwhile glimpse into his mastery, and his music videos depict him as an upcoming creator with great potential.
With every line of his lovely music, SiMBA comes across as a modern-day rapper who does not bother to hide or sugarcoat the truth. He uses his rhymes to form a message that can help others review their lives and correct their imperfections.
SiMBA identifies as a practicing Christian, but he says he is not a gospel musician. His music does not talk about or mention God directly, but it makes subtle references to a supreme being and respects Christian values.
He is aware that songs with explicit lyrics often get massive airplay on radio, but he has never been tempted to take that route. SiMBA wants to create music that stands the test of time, and he ensures that he is passing the right message to all his listeners.
